Download the Disting EX firmware archive from expert-sleepers.co.uk/distingex.html, extract, and copy the contents to a microSD card. Insert the card into the module, power on while holding the Z button combo to enter update mode, and follow the screen prompts to flash.
What you need
microSD card (manual copy) — the software Expert Sleepers uses to load firmware onto the Expert Sleepers Disting EX. Download links below.
Expert Sleepers Disting EX firmware update history
10 releases since Jun 2023, roughly one every 2 months.
Changelogs summarised from the manufacturer's release notes.
Version 1.26.1 — 24 Oct 2024
Release notes for this version are listed above.
Release notesopens in a new tab — expert-sleepers.co.uk
Version 1.26 — 18 Sep 2024
The Quad Quantizer now supports modes (Ionian, Dorian, etc.) and has a new 'Warped' quantize mode.
The dual mode Waveform Animator algorithm now has an option for stereo operation.
The Macro Oscillator 2 algorithm now uses an attached ES-5 expander to output gates when triggered by MIDI notes.
Fixed an issue where MIDI CCs sent from the module for symmetric mappings would not match the values expected when received by the module.
Fixed an issue where the Multi-Switch algorithm could introduce noise when used for switching audio.
Fixed the accessibility text display when showing algorithm help.
Version 1.25.2 — 11 Jun 2024
Fixed an issue where loading an SD Multisample preset might fail to find the desired sample folders by name.
Version 1.25.1 — 30 May 2024
Fixed the Coarse Tune parameter of the Resonator algorithm so MIDI notes give the expected pitch.
Version 1.25 — 27 May 2024
Incorporated disting mk4 firmware version 4.28.
Added the Quadraphonic Mixer algorithm.
Added a per-quantizer MIDI channel offset to the Quad Quantizer algorithm, so each quantizer can use notes from different MIDI channels to quantize to.
Added I2C note on/off support to the Quad Quantizer algorithm.
Added an 'Unfreeze all' parameter to the Spectral Freeze algorithm.
Added the option of mapping global MIDI CCs to control current parameter selection, value edits, and value confirmation.
The WAV Recorder algorithm now supports playback of multichannel (e.g. quad) audio files, and has a parameter to set the playback level.
Added a parameter to set the MIDI note number to use when previewing in the auto-sampler function of the WAV Recorder algorithm.
Dual mode Audio Playback and Wavetable algorithms now limit the range of their Folder parameters to the number of folders available on the SD card.
Added new SysEx commands to save and load presets and mappings.
Added a setting to flip the secondary display.
Added an experimental setting to run the Select Bus at higher speeds.
Fixed an issue in the Quad Quantizer where the output could glitch when changing notes in "quantize to MIDI" scale modes.
Fixed an issue where the new 'push to confirm' dual mode parameters introduced in v1.24 prevented MIDI CC control of those parameters.
Fixed an issue where MIDI reception could stop if the module was receiving a lot of MIDI during an auto-save operation.
Fixed an issue in the Poly FM algorithm where 'piano' mode sustain would not work correctly if all eight voices were used.
Fixed an issue where loading a Poly FM preset from the MicroSD card would fail.
Fixed an issue in the Resonator algorithm where the 'Coarse tune' parameter did not match the original Rings implementation.
Version 1.24 — 21 Dec 2023
Incorporated disting mk4 firmware version 4.27.
Added the Quad Quantizer algorithm.
Added MIDI and I2C access to all three timbres (folders) of the SD Multisample algorithm.
Added support for 'Tintinnabuli' style harmony in the Chord Engine and Tracker algorithms.
The Spectral Freeze algorithm now has an option to process live audio.
The Looper algorithm can now optionally be stopped and started via MIDI clock (i.e. use the MIDI transport controls, not just clock).
Added a new 'dual' mode to the Tuner algorithm (to tune two signals at once).
Dual mode algorithms with folder selections (e.g. the various Audio Playback and Wavetable algorithms) now have a 'push to confirm' mechanism, just like in single mode.
Added 'MIDI leaves visuals' options to the Spectral Freeze algorithm.
Added options to control the Spectral Freeze algorithm via MIDI notes.
Added I2C note on/off support to the Filter Bank algorithm.
Added support for note velocity in the Filter Bank algorithm.
Improved the audio quality of the Filter Bank algorithm.
'MIDI learn' now learns the MIDI channel offset as well as the CC number, and automatically enables the mapping.
Added an method to query the module's input and output voltages via I2C.
Added a new 'algorithm specific' I2C message, and used this in the Looper algorithm to future-proof the interaction with Teletype.
Improved the audio quality of the dual mode reverb algorithms.
The Poly Wavetable algorithm, when in MPE mode and using pressure or CC#74 to replace the volume envelope, now reverts to the regular envelope release stage when a note is released.
Fixed an issue where the clock input of the Augustus Loop algorithm would not work.
Fixed the Spectral Freeze algorithm's display when the secondary and primary displays are showing different things.
Fixed an issue in the Filter Bank algorithm where the Dry signal would be incorrect in 'Multiband' mode.
Fixed an issue where the MIDI Player algorithm might not loop correctly.
[...]
Version 1.23.1 — 8 Sep 2023
Fixed an issue where the Spectral Freeze algorithm could lose a freeze (and start processing live audio).
Fixed an issue where MIDI reception might stop working if the module was being sent a lot of MIDI during a preset save.
Version 1.23 — 4 Sep 2023
Incorporated disting mk4 firmware version 4.26.
Added the Spectral Freeze algorithm.
Changes to the reverb mix in the Dream Machine algorithm are now smoothed, to avoid clicks.
The MIDI Player algorithm can now optionally process live MIDI input.
Added accessibility commands to show the algorithm input and output key displays.
Added a new setting to disable all MIDI mappings by default.
Added CV input offset controls to all single algorithms (and removed the ones specifically in the Macro Oscillator 2 algorithm).
Fixed a problem where CV mappings of Numerator parameters in the Dream Machine algorithm could give unpredictable results.
Fixed a possible crash when mapping the Transpose parameter of the Dream Machine algorithm.
Fixed a problem in the Granulator algorithm where choosing 'Single' spawn mode and then a different spawn mode would result in no grains spawning.
Fixed a problem where latching button mappings might fail to work in certain algorithms.
Fixed the accessibility text display when showing certain parameters in the Poly Wavetable algorithm.
Version 1.22 — 8 Aug 2023
Added the option of manually setting the MIDI channel of each timbre in the Poly FM algorithm.
Added support for new I2C note commands with a channel, to address the individual timbres of the Poly FM algorithm.
Added an I2C query for the current tracked note in the Tracker algorithm.
Added 'Output hold' parameters to the Tracker algorithm.
Added a Transpose parameter to the Dream Machine algorithm.
Added the option of per-loop clock inputs to the Looper algorithm.
In the Looper algorithm, added a parameter and new MIDI note commands to allow issuing commands immediately even when in clocked mode.
Fixed an issue in the Granulator algorithm where changing the grain shape while grains were playing could result in audible glitches.
Fixed an issue where dual mode algrithm-specific information would not be included the raw text version of the display used by the accessibility web interface.
Version 1.21.1 — 22 Jun 2023
Fixed an issue where the Poly FM algorithm could miss MIDI and I2C messages.
Fixed an issue where the Granulator algorithm could output a high pitched tone while loading or saving WAV files from/to the MicroSD card.
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What is the latest firmware for the Expert Sleepers Disting EX?
The latest firmware for the Expert Sleepers Disting EX is version 1.26.1, released on 24 Oct 2024. FW//RADAR last checked Expert Sleepers's official page on 26 Oct 2026.
How do I update the Expert Sleepers Disting EX?
Download the Disting EX firmware archive from expert-sleepers.co.uk/distingex.html, extract, and copy the contents to a microSD card. Insert the card into the module, power on while holding the Z button combo to enter update mode, and follow the screen prompts to flash. Full instructions on Expert Sleepers's official firmware page.
What software do I need to update the Expert Sleepers Disting EX?
You need microSD card (manual copy), available from Expert Sleepers's support site.
Where can I download Expert Sleepers Disting EX firmware and drivers?
Directly from Expert Sleepers's official firmware page — FW//RADAR links to the source and never hosts firmware files. Official firmware page →
Where can I find the Expert Sleepers Disting EX manual?